Mid-Century Home Exterior

last year

I need some MCM architecture enthusiasts to help brainstorm ideas to bring the front of this custom mid-century modern home back to life with some upgrades to reestablish the style it was originally designed in.

I can see the potential, but it’s such an odd front, I can’t quite wrap my brain around what it needs without completely redoing practically everything. Thanks for any help you can offer in advance!

Featured Answer

User

last year

I think the house is very cool as is. Initial thoughts: all I would do with it is to add some kind of really wide, low wood plank patio that spans the entire width of the house. then add a path leading up to it, made of big stepping stones. after that, concentrate on the landscaping.

like this, but of course yours won't need to have stairs:

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Comments (11)

apple_pie_order
last year
Looks like someone painted over the light colored brick (visible on chimney) on the front. Are you thinking of stripping the paint from the bricks?

What's your current budget range for the exterior changes and the landscaping?
Ethan Swords thanked apple_pie_order
Sammie J
last year
Your home will look great with updated landscaping, including a patio outside of those patio doors!!!
Ethan Swords thanked Sammie J
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That's a wonderful first home and looks well maintained - congratulations. From the examples you've been given, I would go with one of the darker greens, or darker brown. My own single story MCM is dark unsweetened chocolate brown - all of it, no brick other than built in planters in front - and in searching back through neighborhood photos, has been this color since built 1955. I have no plans to change it. I like the way it blends into the landscape as though a part of it, and not something just dropped into place from somewhere else ;0) I think blue would have that effect on your home with the treed background. One thing the PO had done here was paint the underside of the soffits warm white. I think if the darker color, it would appear a little dark when inside looking out...you might want to keep that in mind when painting along your parking and basketball hoop area and keep the part the overhangs the brick light colored on the underside. No one will notice from outdoors.
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Stephanie
last year
Ok so just paint wise i am not a fan of dark grey in a nature setting. i would look into blasting that paint off and seeing what is under there but it could also be hiding some brick repairs. also i spy what is likely some integrated gutters on the right side. is that something you are willing to repair/ replace/ invest in for the homes integrity? the front door needs a pop of color (orange or aqua for me) and is confusing with the double doors - those should blend in with the siding color more. trim would be close to or complement the brick color (white or cream) and not be black or charcoal or contrasting. and then simple clean lighting and landscaping, house numbers, a modbox for the mailbox, etc. look at eichler homes (keep to the historic colors) or charles goodman homes for examples of historic color options.
Ethan Swords thanked Stephanie
decoenthusiaste
last year
Something about this one reminds me of yours. Scan through the link to see what you think.
My Houzz: Midcentury Garden Tour · More Info
Ethan Swords thanked decoenthusiaste
Ethan Swords
Original Author
last year
Can't seem to figure out how to reply individually, so here are my replies:

appie_pie_order, I've only thought of painting, not stripping, but if what's underneath could be beter, I'd be all for it! Sounds like it might be a cheaper option as well. The less spent the better, but I'm willing to invest what's needed. Maybe anywhere from 5k to 10k, but preferably less.

Sammie J, thank you! I agree that landscaping could actually make a huge different in and of itself to help the face of the home.

Stephanie, I'm not completely against the color it is now, but I believe you're right. A lighter color would probbaly be more "of the era" anyway. Yes, we'll definitely be repairing the gutters that need it. I know exactly what you're talking about with the modbox! I actually have that exact mailbox saved already. I apprecieate you mentioning keeping the coloring historically accurate.

decoenthusiate, I'd say that home is much, much nicer than mine! But wow, that's a compliemnt in my opinion. I feel as though the front of my house is pretty quirky. I could see adding a few elements from that home to mine though for sure.

SeattleMCM, I apprecieate that! I certainly think it has potential. I just don't feel it's truly embracing the Mid-Century design as much as it should be. It's just a little awkward right now. That patio is a great idea! Thanks so much for your input.

TO ALL: What do you think about all the windows? Any changes you'd make to perhaps make it look more coheisive or more mid-century?
User
last year
last modified: last year
Any changes you'd make to perhaps make it look more coheisive or more mid-century?

I love all of the casement windows, which are perfect for that house.

For the other windows off to the right (where the glass door is) -- how old are they? They're pretty, and I really like them, but they don't seem to fit in here. They look like they belong on an older house. (Another good reason to replace is if they're drafty or single paned. Some states offer rebates or tax incentives to upgrade.)

Below, I knocked out the grid on the middle window on the right. I replaced the doors with sliding glass, and removed the grids above:

(before, for comparison)
Ethan Swords thanked User
Jilly
last year
last modified: last year
I wanted to share some fun reading:

https://archive.curbed.com/2019/2/27/18214854/home-renovation-ideas-tips-midcentury-modern

https://retrorenovation.com/category/exterior-design/

https://www.atomic-ranch.com

You have to use breeze blocks somewhere! :D

Also search ’mcm curb appeal’ .

Very excited you bought this great house and are honoring it. :)
Ethan Swords thanked Jilly
Ethan Swords
Original Author
last year
That's a great idea! I'm 100% on board with that. My thought to the window there is to add a transom window with the top portion that pitches up at an angle to match the pitch of the roof. I'm honestly not sure why that wasn't done to start with when the home was originally built.
User
last year
last modified: last year
A triangle transom window would be really cool, but it would wind up being a bit small in that spot. If/when you get window quotes, price it out though! (and keep in mind that they are impossible to do decent window treatments, so if this is south facing, it might be kind of harsh.)

I love Jinx's idea of adding breeze blocks! I really want them for my house. I'm thinking of using them to create a place to hide my trash and recycle bins.

For your home, the carport is the perfect place for it! Like this, but painted white:
Ethan Swords thanked User
Jilly
last year
Seattle, I don’t even have a mid-century house and want to add them!

I have a breeze block obsession. :D